6.3.11

On the Naming of Gnomes

Winter is a time for reflection.

Time to create gardens in the mind.

I have created a new garden, one of raised beds, a stone path, a half circle of roses and a place for a fire pit. The space was readied in the fall. Once the weather breaks, the installation of plants and design begins. In the meantime, I plan. Three 3' x 6' black raised beds have been ordered. My seed cache inventoried. In mid-March, I will start the tomato, pepper and cabbage seeds indoors.

The expansive vegetable garden I have had since 1995 was retired at the end of last year. The tiller was sold. Call it aging-in-place, downsizing or conserving human energy, the reality is, it was time for a change. Spring of 2011, there will be a kitchen garden, the potting shed garden, some containers and a new raised bed garden.

And, there will be a gnome to watch over it.

My girlfriend gave me a gnome for my birthday. I have always wanted one. I decided mine needed a name. I wanted to make it unique so I Googled gnome names. Apparently, I was not just being quirky. As one site noted, without a proper "gname," a gnome will lead an unhappy life. Meaning and purpose for a gnome, who would have thought?

So, I poured over some name generators and found the "gname." It was European and ancient enough for such a special creature. Because his shanks are short, I believe his surname must be Shortshanks! I decreed his duties and they are, as such, an extension of his given name.